Tag Archives: Danas

Tropical Storm Danas Speeds Toward South Korea

Tropical Storm Danas sped toward South Korea on Friday as it moved quickly north-northeast over the East China Sea.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 125.1°E which put it about 190 miles (305 km) south-southwest of Mopko, South Korea.  Danas was moving toward the north-northeast at 19 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Danas remained asymmetrical on Friday.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands well to the east of the center of circulation.  Bands closer to the center and on the western side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level trough over eastern China was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  The wind field also exhibited the effects of the wind shear.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Danas on the eastern side of the circulation, but only extended out about 120 miles (195 km) on the western side of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Danas will remain in an environment only marginally favorable for intensification until it makes landfall in South Korea.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level trough over eastern China will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Danas could intensify a little during the next 12 hours, but it will weaken after the center moves over South Korea.

Tropical Storm Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge and the upper level trough will interact to steer Danas rapidly toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Danas will make landfall on the southwestern coast of South Korea in about 12 hours.  Danas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Korea on Saturday.  The heaviest rain will fall over the southeastern half of South Korea.  Locally heavy rain in that region could cause flash floods.  The outer rainbands of Tropical Storm Danas could also drop locally heavy rain over western Kyushu.

Tropical Storm Danas Nears Southern Ryukyu Islands

Tropical Storm Danas moved near the southern Ryukyu Islands late on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 124.1°E which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south of Ishigaki, Japan.  Danas was moving toward the north at 21 m.p.h. (34 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Danas exhibited a little more organization on Wednesday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation and several bands of showers and thunderstorms formed in the eastern half of the circulation.  The bands north and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 125 miles (200 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Danas will move into an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  A small upper level low near Taiwan will produce southwesterly winds which blow toward the top of the circulation around Tropical Storm Danas.  Those winds were the reason why the stronger rainbands were in the eastern half of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear, which will inhibit intensification.  However, the shear will have less of an effect since Danas will move in the same direction as the upper level winds.  Tropical Storm Danas is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours and there is a chance it could strengthen into a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Danas toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Danas will move through the southern Ryukyu Islands during the next few hours.  Danas will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain when it passes over those islands.  Tropical Storm Danas will move over the East China Sea toward southwestern Japan and South Korea during the next several days.

Tropical Storm Danas Forms East of Luzon

Tropical Storm Danas formed east of Luzon on Tuesday.  A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area of low pressure east of Luzon and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Danas.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Danas was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 123.1°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east of Tuguegarao, Philippines.  Danas was moving toward the west at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Danas was highly asymmetrical.  There were a few thunderstorms just to the southwest of the center of circulation, but most of the thunderstorms were occurring in a band on the far western edge of the circulation around Danas.  Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Tropical Storm Danas was moving around the southeastern portion of an upper level ridge over east Asia.  The ridge was producing strong easterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation around Danas.  The easterly winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetric distribution of thunderstorms.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Danas was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Danas will move into an environment that is only marginally favorable for intensification.  Danas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 31°C.  So, there is plenty of energy in the upper ocean.  The strong upper level easterly winds are expected to weaken somewhat during the next several days.  If those winds weaken, then there will be less vertical wind shear and Tropical Storm Danas could strengthen.  If the upper level winds remain strong, then Danas will not strengthen and it could weaken to a tropical depression.  The forecast is for very slow intensification during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Since there are not a lot of taller thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Storm Danas, it will be steered by the winds in the lower troposphere.  Danas will move around the western end of a subtropical ridge over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will turn Danas toward the north on Wednesday.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Danas will remain east of Luzon.  The center of Danas could be near southeastern Taiwan in 24 to 36 hours.  Tropical Storm Danas could be near the east coast of China in about three days.  The primary risks will be locally heavy rain and flash floods.